pig (feral), wild boar at large
(Sus scrofa (feral))
This species is Introduced in the United States
Feral swine can look similar to domestic hogs but are generally thinner with coarse bristly hair, long tusks, and a flattened elongated snout. Feral swine vary in color, including combinations of white, black, brown, red, and spotted. Piglets are often striped or spotted but lose this coloration as they mature.
Adult feral swine weigh between 75 and 250 pounds on average, but some can get twice as large. They can grow 3 feet in height and 5 feet in length. Males (boars) are larger than females (sows). Males have four extremely sharp tusks that continually grow. The upper tusks are 3-5 inches long and usually are worn or broken from use.
Feral swine are strong and muscular and can run up to 30 miles per hour. Like deer and domestic pigs, feral swine have cloven hooves. Feral swine tracks look similar to deer tracks, but they have a more round or circular shape and are about as wide as they are long.
The states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are urging you to report feral swine sightings by calling a toll-free, public hotline: 1-888-268-9219. The states use hotline information to quickly respond to a feral swine detection, helping to eradicate and curb the spread of the invasive species.
Montana: MT Dept of Livestock – 406-444-2976.
North Dakota: 701-328-2655
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sus_scrofa/
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/operational-activities/feral-swine/sa-fs-history
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2007/nrs_2007_chapman_002.pdf
Adult feral swine weigh between 75 and 250 pounds on average, but some can get twice as large. They can grow 3 feet in height and 5 feet in length. Males (boars) are larger than females (sows). Males have four extremely sharp tusks that continually grow. The upper tusks are 3-5 inches long and usually are worn or broken from use.
Feral swine are strong and muscular and can run up to 30 miles per hour. Like deer and domestic pigs, feral swine have cloven hooves. Feral swine tracks look similar to deer tracks, but they have a more round or circular shape and are about as wide as they are long.
- Extensive rooting or digging as they search for food
- Muddy wallows, especially in moist areas during warmer months
- Tree rubbing, which often occurs after wallowing
- Tunnels and trails leading through thick vegetation
- Hoof tracks in the mud near springs, ponds, and streams
- Scat that resembles dog feces and may contain partially digested remnants of grains, and the hair, scales, or feathers of animals that they have eaten
The states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are urging you to report feral swine sightings by calling a toll-free, public hotline: 1-888-268-9219. The states use hotline information to quickly respond to a feral swine detection, helping to eradicate and curb the spread of the invasive species.
Montana: MT Dept of Livestock – 406-444-2976.
North Dakota: 701-328-2655
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sus_scrofa/
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/operational-activities/feral-swine/sa-fs-history
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2007/nrs_2007_chapman_002.pdf
Resources
- Florida's Exotic Wildlife Species Detail - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
- Animal Diversity Web - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
- Wikipedia - Wikimedia Foundation, Inc
- Coping with Feral Hogs Website - Texas A&M University
- National Feral Swine Mapping System - Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
- International Wild Pig Conference - Berryman Institute
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- Maryland Invasive Species Council - Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
- Michigan’s Prohibited and Restricted Species
- Mid-Atlantic Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Southwest Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Mammalia |
| Subclass: Theria |
| Order: Artiodactyla |
| Family: Suidae |
| Genus: Sus |
| Species: Sus scrofa |
| Sus scrofa (feral) |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.